he dating scene can be difficult enough anyway, with everyone trying to outdo each other when it comes to beauty, youth, intelligence and fashion sense. You may well pass all of these tests but if your smile reveals more of Romford than Hollywood then it could put a swift end to any future dates.

With flashy smiles gracing our screens on a daily basis, people now expect a bit more in the tooth department. It's no longer acceptable to be seen out with bits of food wedged between your teeth, or stains coating your incisors - now you need to show that you've taken a bit of care and attention with your mouth as well as your outfit. In fact, unloved teeth can often be a measure of how well you look after the rest of your body and a mouth full of brown teeth isn't a good reflection on your general personal hygiene.

However, before you lock yourself indoors and give up on the dating scene altogether, don't despair. Help is at hand in the form of teeth whitening kits. Once the preserve of A-list celebrities, teeth whitening can now be achieved in the comfort of your own bathroom, and you won't need to break the bank to get that Hollywood smile either.

Teeth whitening kits are now widely available in all good chemists and there are plenty of options to choose from. Obviously, the costs between the different products do vary, but home kits are substantially cheaper than specialist dental procedures and you should still see some amazing results.

Over the days and weeks, you'll start to notice that your teeth are losing their dull, brown finish and getting a hint of that pearly white smile that celebrities spend thousands of pounds on. As your teeth become whiter and shinier, you'll probably also notice your confidence returning.

You might even notice yourself revealing your teeth when you smile at people again and, who knows, it might just be a matter of time before you get enough confidence to approach members of the opposite sex. When you can reveal your smile, you reveal a little more about your personality.

A sparkling set of teeth shows people that you have nothing to hide, you are confident in yourself and you like to laugh. These are attractive traits and you should have a lot more success with dating once you've whitened your teeth. It might seem like such a small change to make, but it will make the world of difference to your social life and how you come across on the dating scene.

So, what are you waiting for? Take a trip to the chemist; choose the product that best suits you and your budget. Start the process of making your teeth pearly white and your smile a winning one.